Remake 2000 Victory to the Mauritian Citizens

The suspense is over, the election of 90 municipal councillors for the five municipalities on the island was finally counted on Monday, with the Remake 2000 (MMM/MSM alliance) emerging as the winners in Beau Bassin/Rose Hill, Curepipe and Port Louis with 53 seats over the main political rival party PTr/PMSD with 36 seats and one seat in  Curepipe for MMSD.

The Remake 2000 won unanimously in Beau Bassin/Rose Hill with all 18 candidates elected as councillors.


Thirty two women in all; 18 from the MMM/MSM and 14 from PTr/PMSD were elected as councillors under the quota imposed in the new Local Government Act.

At a celebratory meeting held in Quatre Bornes, MMM leader Paul Bérenger stated: "Remake 2000 has gained strength on a national level and the general elections will follow suit very soon," he said. He also claimed that they would have had the upper hand in Curepipe as well had it not been for the MMSD.

MMM secretary general Rajesh Bhagwan stated that he is looking forward to the stale faces the PTr/PMSD members will have in Parliament on Tuesday. "Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam will have to take pills to control his blood pressure in order to sleep tonight. This is a lesson for all of them," he said.

Bhagwan stressed that the MMM/MSM won despite the presence of ministers in the polling centres like "bats during litchi season"; bribes such as jobs, macaroni or last minute asphalting of roads and the anti-Remake 2000 campaign led by the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation. "This victory is an anniversary gift to me, since I was elected 30 years ago in December 1982 for the first time during the municipal elections," he said.

MSM leader Sir Anerood Jugnauth stated the choices made during the municipal elections demonstrate that the population pledges its allegiance to the MMM/MSM.

Reaction
“We accomplished our task and I want to thank all the officers who have worked tirelessly since November 1, to ensure the smooth running of the elections. Despite  claims to have recounts in some centers, only in Ward 4 in Port Louis, the Returning Officer has acceded to the request of the recount because there was a difference of only four votes. However, despite the recount, the ranking has not changed. It has even been suggested to candidates who want a recount to use the election petition of the Supreme Court within 21 days," said Irfan Raman, the Electoral Commissioner following the announcement of municipal election results.